Outplacement

It seems to be bad news on top of bad news for the jobs situation locally. Over a thousand workers will be retrenched locally from Coca Cola (180), GM Holden (900+), automotive suppliers and Telstra (120). On top of this many other organisations, public and private sector, both large and small, including and not for profits are quietly retrenching workers without drawing media attention. Can we help these individuals and families affected by redundancy? Can we help the organisations facing…

This year Coca Cola announced it will close its SA manufacturing operations by 2019, with the loss of 180 jobs. GM Holden has announced it is closing its Elizabeth site in October – resulting in a knock-on effect on automotive suppliers such as Walker Tenneco – so, what happens to their workers now? Many of those workers may be leaving their current positions imminently. In February, Mr Weatherill announced a support program for Coca-Cola workers, worth around $2500 per worker,…

Sadly cost cutting continues in the media industry, with News Corp reportedly set to make 70 photographers in Australia redundant. Will this be the end of it? Sadly, it seems, it won’t be, with News Corp rumoured to be targeting target production staff, including subeditors and designers, next. It seems News Corp is not the only newspaper company cutting costs. Fairfax Media journalists went on strike for seven days this month after the company announced it was cutting 125 journalists on…

In a happy footnote to our blog of March 27th, the receivers have finally found some money to pay the redundancy and other entitlements of distribution and head office staff of Pumpkin Patch. The New Zealand Herald reports ‘Robert Reid, First Union General Secretary, said it had been speaking to members and they were “over the moon” with the payout news. “They’re glad they can draw a line under this.” But he said the payout should have happened by right and…

Will your bank release money to pay the redundancy entitlements of workers? A recent dispute between 150 former Pumpkin Patch employees (whose positions were made redundant when the company was liquidated this February) and the bank, ANZ, has highlighted how company structures can put banks ahead of retrenched workers when it comes to deciding where the last of the money goes. In a shock to Pumpkin Patch former workers and managers, the bank has reportedly refused, so far, to pay…

A recent Court of Appeal ruling provides another warning to employers to put everything in writing, including termination pay and entitlements. Redundancy and termination pay can be a difficult area. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a redundancy pay calculator to help. Click here for a link to the redundancy pay calculator and to other useful sources of information. Accurate records, checking of “estimates” and keeping minutes of meetings are all absolutely necessary to avoid disagreements and unfavourable court rulings when calculating termination…

Sadly fashion brands Marcs and David Lawrence have been placed into voluntary administration. Over 1100 workers, including 260 full time workers, are employed by the two brands in Australia, and more in New Zealand. The brands will continue to trade and hope to find a buyer. What do businesses do in times like this? Do they provide outplacement support to staff? Do staff need help and support – but seek very little support because they hope “it will all pan out”?…

Following on from our recent blogs about the prevalence of redundancy in Adelaide – this one is full of some good news! Typically employers will consider supporting retrenched workers with an outplacement program. It’s useful to get advice on what to look for before choosing a provider. Outplacement programs show employees, ex-employees and the general public that the employer cares. They provide an important support system and source of help and advice to people who are often in a state…

Nicole Dwyer Chief Executive of Workskil Australia claims that the departing 1000 workers, who will leave the GM Holden site at Elizabeth in October, will affect the job chances of other local unemployed workers. She says “Without the work history and experience of the Holden workers, the young and long-term unemployed are at a significant disadvantage in competing for the limited jobs on offer. Many of these people come from disadvantaged backgrounds and face specific social and economic challenges that…

Some organisations call up an outplacement consultant just before they need them. That can be a stressful time when it’s not so easy to remember to ask all the right questions. Others write outplacement policies in a thoughtful manner well in advance of needing them. That’s smart. Smart organisations include outplacement for all retrenched workers as a key part of their offering or employee value proposition. The best companies include outplacement policies as part of their employee value proposition and…